I was driving on the highway with my cruise control on, and all of a sudden this light came on. About 5 minutes later, my cruise control deactivated itself and now when I try to turn the cruise on, the cruise light just blinks and then shuts off. What is my mini trying to tell me???

 

That is your brake pad warning light. You need brake pads.

 

Awesome, thanks Way! I will pick some up from you next week.

 

Just had he same thing happen to me too on my R53. Same light but different location and my manual didn't even have that symbol. Anyone know how many more miles I can go before replacing? Or is this a 'replace immediately' kind of service?

 

My experience is a few thousand miles, but don't quote me. I would hope that the light doesn't come on and then the brakes fail the next day

There is a sensor that goes in the back of the pad through a hole, when the pad wears down, it wears down the sensor and then breaks a wire.

I would look to see which axle first before ordering pads and the parts are different for front a rear for the sensor: http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NMB1014/InvDetail.cfm

My guess is the front. But if you haven't had the car that long it and got it used, could be the rear. Those usually last longer.

 

The first time this happened to my car a few years ago, I drove a thousand miles or more with no ill effect. The just came on again, so Im gonna buy the parts and not worry about getting it done yesterday. My 05's manual has the explanation for this warning light right near the front, in the dashboard/instrument cluster explanation section.

 

Since the light has come on you will also need to buy new sensors along with the pads.

 

Thanks all. The last time this happened, I had to replace rotors too. But I bought used so it could've been coincidence. But it was expensive. I also guess its possible that I don't have the original manual as I looked through it front to back and there wasnt a single picture of that indicator. I will be taking it in sat morning to get it all fixed. Fingers crossed that it's only the pads and sensors and not the rotors too.

 

FYI, skippyfish, BMW recommends the rotors be replaced every time the pads are. OEM has hard pads and soft rotors - they are usually pretty toast by the time the pads are worn, and too thin to turn.

 

Thanks for the heads up Eric. Tomorrow is judgement day. Although when I replaced the rotors last time, the were not OEM. Don't know what brand but they were slotted, so we'll see.

 

Verdict: Oil Change + Brake Fluid Flush + Both Rear brakes (rotors, pads, sensors) + tire rotation = $600 (Front brakes were fine). I gues not bad considering I thought it would be a lot worse.

 

That's interesting - Twice in 75,000 miles, I've had my cruise control act up in the same way (disengages, and when I try to re-engage it, the cruise control light just blinks a few times and then stays off.) Never had the brake warning light along with it, though.

Both times, the cruise control went back to normal after turning the engine off and back on.